Vitamin Deficiency
Learn If It Could Be Causing Your Symptoms
If you’re feeling fatigued, your hair and skin are drying out, or you’re losing hair, the culprit could be something as simple as a vitamin deficiency. We believe the first step to better health is understanding the root cause of your symptoms and learning what you can do to take control of your health.
What Is a Vitamin Deficiency?
Your body needs certain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to function at peak performance. A vitamin deficiency is when one of the needed vitamins is in short supply. A vitamin deficiency is a sneaky thing, though. Unless it’s severe, it may not be diagnosed by your doctor, even though you may have adverse symptoms.
What Causes a Vitamin or Mineral Deficiency?
Many times, a deficiency is caused by an unhealthy diet, or one without the necessary nutrients. A deficiency can also result if your body has trouble processing or absorbing certain nutrients.
Most Common Vitamin Deficiencies
Many Americans have nutrient deficiencies. This is mainly due to our diet, which is high in red meat, processed meat, and saturated fats, and low in fruits and vegetables. Some of the more common deficiencies we see are:
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Vitamin B6 deficiency
- Vitamin B9 deficiency (folate)
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Vitamin A deficiency
- Vitamin C deficiency
- Vitamin K deficiency
- Vitamin E deficiency
Other common nutritional deficiencies include:
- Iron deficiency
- Iodine deficiency
- Magnesium deficiency
- Calcium deficiency
- Zinc
Vitamin Deficiency Symptoms
It’s important to know that vitamin deficiency symptoms are shared with other conditions and disorders, so it’s vital to see a healthcare professional to get to the root cause of your symptoms. Since symptoms vary depending on the deficiency, we’re breaking it down to the symptoms for individual vitamins and minerals.
Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms
Vitamin D helps build strong bones and muscles, as well as help protect you from getting diabetes or cancer. You get vitamin D through sunlight and some of the foods you eat. Symptoms that you have a deficiency may include:
- Fatigue
- Bone pain or achiness
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Not sleeping well
- Getting sick easily
- Depression or feelings of sadness
- Hair loss
- Pale skin
Vitamin B6 Deficiency Symptoms
Vitamin B6 is a nutrient that helps in brain development of your baby while you’re pregnant as well as young children. Most people get enough vitamin B6 from the foods they eat, but you may be at risk of a deficiency if you have an autoimmune disorder or kidney problems. Symptoms of a deficiency include:
- Anemia
- Itchy skin
- Cracks at the corner of the mouth
- Depression or confusion
- Weakened immune system
Vitamin B9 (Folate) Deficiency Symptoms
Most commonly known as folate, vitamin B9 is best absorbed by the body in supplement form – folic acid. Folate helps to form DNA and is involved in how your body metabolizes protein. Folate is also critical for healthy red blood cells and during periods of rapid growth, such as during pregnancy and fetal development. This is why doctors prescribe folic acid for pregnant women.
Signs of a deficiency include:
- Megaloblastic anemia
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty concentrating
- Hair loss
- Pale skin
- Mouth sores
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms
Vitamin B12 also helps make your DNA and red blood cells. Most people get enough of this B vitamin from animal-based foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you’re at risk for a deficiency. You may also be at risk for a deficiency if you are a heavy drinker or have an autoimmune disorder, or take certain medications that interfere with proper absorption.
Symptoms you’re not getting enough vitamin B12 include:
- Tiredness, weakness, or dizziness
- Heart palpitations and shortness of breath
- Pale skin
- A smooth tongue
- Loss of appetite
- Digestive issues
- Weight loss
- Numbness or tingling in your hands, legs, or feet
- Problems walking
- Vision loss
- Depression or memory loss
Vitamin A Deficiency Symptoms
Vitamin A helps maintain healthy eyes, good vision, and healthy skin. It can also help you fight off infections. Most people get enough vitamin A in their diet. You may be at risk for a deficiency if you have a gastrointestinal condition where your body doesn’t absorb vitamin A like it should. Symptoms of a deficiency include:
- Night blindness
- Other eye problems
- Fertility issues
- Skin irritation
- Stunted growth in children
Vitamin C Deficiency Symptoms
Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron, and protects you from free radicals. Your body naturally produces free radical molecules when it breaks down food or you’re exposed to tobacco smoke, or radiation from the sun, X-rays, or other sources. Vitamin C also promotes collagen production, and helps build muscle and bones.
Most people get enough vitamin C through their diet. But you may be at risk for a deficiency if you have a poor diet, alcoholism, anorexia, severe mental illness, smoke, or are undergoing dialysis. Signs you’re not getting enough vitamin C include:
- Fatigue and irritability
- Poor immunity
- Keratosis pilaris (rough, bumpy skin)
- Dry, damaged skin
- Perifollicular hemorrhage (bright red hair follicles)
- Easy bruising
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Painful or swollen joints
- Weak bones
- Bleeding gums
- Wounds that are slow to heal
- Unexplained weight gain
- Chronic inflammation
Vitamin K Deficiency Symptoms
Vitamin K helps your body make the proteins needed for blood clotting and bone tissue. A deficiency is most common in infants, which is why most newborns receive a vitamin K injection shortly after birth. The main symptom of a deficiency is bleeding.
Most healthy adults get enough vitamin K in their diet. People taking blood thinners (anticoagulants such as warfarin) need to have regular blood work to see how fast their blood clots.
Vitamin E Deficiency Symptoms
Like vitamin C, vitamin E also fights off free radicals. Vitamin E also supports your immune system and blood vessels. Most people get enough vitamin E in their diet, and it is added to fortified cereals. However, you’re at risk for a deficiency if you have a condition where your body doesn’t absorb nutrients as it should.
Signs of a deficiency include:
- Nerve damage
- Muscle damage
- Muscle weakness
- Vision problems
- Weakened immune system
Iron Deficiency Symptoms
The mineral iron helps your body make a protein in red blood cells, or hemoglobin. Hemoglobin helps your red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. If you’re not getting enough iron, you will get iron deficiency anemia. While most people get enough iron in their diet, you may be at risk for anemia if you’re a woman who has heavy periods or is pregnant, or if you have inflammatory bowel disease or an ulcer.
Signs you’re not getting enough iron include:
- Fatigue
- Unusual paleness
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Heart palpitations
- Dry and damaged skin
- Hair loss (in clumps)
- Swollen, pale, or smooth tongue
- Restless legs
- Cold hands and feet
- Feelings of depression
Iodine Deficiency Symptoms
Iodine supports your thyroid gland, and a deficiency can lead to thyroid disorders. Symptoms of an iodine deficiency and possibly related thyroid condition include:
- Swollen thyroid gland
- A lump (goiter) on your neck
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Dry skin
- Thinning hair
- Feeling cold more than usual
- Slow heart rate
- Irregular or heavy periods
Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms
Magnesium is a mineral that supports your nervous system, creates proteins, and helps your body convert food into energy. You may be low on magnesium and not realize it. Symptoms to watch out for include:
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Stiffness
- Muscle spasms
You may be at a higher risk for magnesium deficiency is you have Type 2 diabetes, a gastrointestinal disease, or you’re over the age of 60.
Calcium Deficiency Symptoms
Calcium helps build strong bones. It also supports heart function and your nervous system. Most people get enough calcium in their diet. You may not have any symptoms of a deficiency until it’s been going on for a long time. Calcium deficiency can lead to:
- Fatigue
- Muscle problems
- Skin problems and hair loss (alopecia)
- Osteopenia and osteoporosis
- Severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Dental problems
You may be more at risk for a calcium deficiency if you have kidney disease or take certain medications such as diuretics.
Zinc Deficiency Symptoms
The mineral zinc supports your body’s immune system, proper healing of wounds, and growth and development during pregnancy and as your child grows up. Most people get enough zinc in their diet. However, vegetarians, vegans, and babies who are breastfed for more than 6 months may be at higher risk of a zinc deficiency.
Signs you may not be getting enough zinc include:
- Hair loss
- Changes in your nails
- Diarrhea
- More infections
- Wounds that are slow to heal
- Impotence
- Loss of appetite
- Irritability
- Decreased sense of taste and smell
How Cima Health Can Help
Cima Health provides restorative, lifelong solutions that target the root cause of your vitamin deficiency. Your care will start out with a comprehensive analysis that will allow us to tailor treatments to your needs and goals. We may also ask questions about your work and home life, medications you take, lifestyle, and habits before making recommendations for an integrative plan of care. Together, we come up with non-invasive and alternative treatments that can help you get rid of the symptoms of vitamin deficiency and restore your health. We also hope to inspire you to achieve whole-body wellness.
Diagnosing and treating vitamin deficiency involves several treatment modalities, all of which you can receive in one location. They include:
Let’s take a look at how each of these areas works together to provide you with better health and inspires you to make lifestyle changes to prevent problems in the future.
Functional Medicine
In many cases, a vitamin deficiency is the root cause of some pretty distressing symptoms. But it’s such an easy thing to correct. Our functional medicine team will run a blood chemistry analysis which will show any vitamin deficiencies or mineral deficiencies. The analysis will also indicate if you have any underlying conditions causing your symptoms as well.
After a comprehensive analysis, we’ll develop a nutritional plan and healthy diet that can help replenish the vitamins and minerals your body needs to restore your health. We may also recommend supplements to help you more quickly reach and maintain the proper levels.
Chiropractic Care
Regular chiropractic care can help your nervous system operate at peak performance, which helps with the absorption of vitamins and minerals. In addition, chiropractic adjustments can relieve you of any aches and pains you’re having related to a vitamin deficiency. For example, a vitamin D deficiency can cause low back pain.
Our Palm Beach Gardens chiropractors are all highly trained professionals and include:
If you suspect your child has a vitamin deficiency, or you’re pregnant or lactating, you may want to schedule an appointment with Dr. Natalie, because she specializes in the care of women and children.
Physical Fitness
Regular exercise is proven to boost vitamin D levels and calcium absorption, as well as reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Exercising or working out with a vitamin B deficiency, on the other hand, can leave you exhausted. We may recommend you undergo a blood chemistry analysis if we see your performance lagging.
Our physical fitness team of personal trainers can help develop an exercise regimen tailored to you that boosts your energy and helps you reach peak performance. The entire team at Cima Health works together to provide you with coordinated care and restorative, lifelong solutions.
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Book an Appointment
If you’re ready to feel better and live a healthy life, we can help. Book an appointment today to determine the root cause of your symptoms and get a treatment plan tailored to you.
